The No. 8 Crimson Tide played their first game back on the mainland Saturday after winning the Paradise Jam in the U.S. Virgin Islands but they were forced to do so without the aid of first team All-American point guard Ronald Steele.

Steele did not dress out for the Tide's game against Texas Southern, resting his right knee that has been plagued by tendonitis this season. But Steele's absence did not prevent the Tide from running away with a victory against their overmatched opponents as the Tide downed the Tigers 74-44.